Aristotle's works:: Containing the Master-piece, Directions for Midwives, and Counsel and Advice to Child-bearing Women with Various Useful Remedies
Aristotle · en
I proceed to give judgment from these several lines. In palmistry, the
left hand is chiefly to be regarded, because therein the lines are most
visible, and have the strictest communication with the heart and brain.
In the next place, observe the line of life, and if it be fair, extended
to its full length, and not broken with an intermixture of cross lines,
it shows long life and health, and it is the same if a double line
appears, as there sometimes does. When the stars appear in this line, it
is a signification of great losses and calamities; if on it there be the
figures of two O’s or a Y, it threatens the person with blindness; if it
wraps itself about the table-line, then does it promise wealth and
honour to be attended by prudence and industry. If the line be cut and
jagged at the upper end, it denotes much sickness; if this line be cut
by any line coming from the mount of Venus, it declares the person to be
unfortunate in love and business also, and threatens him with sudden
death. A cross between the line of life and the table-line, shows the
person to be very liberal and charitable, one of a noble spirit. Let us
see the signification of the table-line.
The table-line, when broad and of a lively colour, shows a healthful
constitution, and a quiet contented mind, and of a courageous spirit:
but if it has crosses towards the little finger, it threatens the party
with much affliction by sickness. If the line be double, or divided into
three parts at any of the extremities, it shows the person to be of a
generous temper, and of a good fortune to support it; but if this line
be forked at the end, it threatens the person shall suffer by
jealousies, and doubts, and loss of riches gotten by deceit. If three
points such as these ∴ are found in it, they denote the person prudent
and liberal, a lover of learning, and of a good temper; if it spreads
towards the fore and middle finger and ends blunt, it denotes
preferment. Let us now see what is signified by the middle-line. This
line has in it oftentimes (for there is scarce a hand in which it varies
not) divers very significant characters. Many small lines between this
and the table-line threaten the party with sickness, and also give him
hopes of recovery. A half cross branching into this line declares the
person shall have honour, riches, and good success in all his
undertakings. A half moon denotes cold and watery distempers; but a sun
or star upon this line, denotes prosperity and riches: this line, double
in a woman, shows she will have several husbands, but no children.